Only One Day a Year at The Coterie

The Coterie has a long history of productions that depict historical narratives that are thought-provoking and challenging. This year, they're bringing that effort even closer to home with Only One Day a Year (showing thru Mar 5, 2023) a play depicting the story of an African-American family in Kansas City and their desire to visit Fairyland, the city's amusement park, that grants admission to "colored people" only one day a year.

I remember driving down 75th street as a girl and seeing the remnants of Fairyland and the Wildcat (the amusement park's beloved roller coaster), hearing stories of my grandparents visiting the park when they were dating and my parents visiting the park as young children. Fairyland was Kansas City's amusement park from the 1920s through 1977, meeting a slow retirement when Worlds of Fun came on the scene in 1973. 

While the park was located at 75th and Prospect, in an area that the play acknowledges is now considered a predominantly black neighborhood, it originally only granted admission to white patrons. This was the era of school segregation, separate water fountains, restrooms - and neighborhoods. One day a year, black citizens were allowed to visit the park. Every day, black citizens were allowed to work at Fairyland and even entertain.

Playwright Michelle Tyrene Johnson, a Kansas City native, was inspired by this history to tell two fictional stories. The first story, set in the 1960s tells of Rose James who wants to fight the racial segregation policy of Fairyland. Rose's father is a widowed boarding house operator, raising Rose and her brother Frank. Frank desperately wants to visit Fairyland for his birthday and is excited that the "one day" is close to his actual birthday. Rose is discouraged that they are only allowed one day a year and thinks her father should boycott the park for their racist policies. Their father understands Rose's view but has a son who has already lost his mother and wants nothing more than to give his boy a special birthday. Meanwhile, August Butler lodges in their home over the summer while he plays saxophone at Fairyland. August, an older gentleman, becomes an "adopted grandfather" and inspiration to Rose and her brother, sharing wisdom with Rose along the way.

The second story features Rose’s granddaughter, Ella, set in the modern-day, using her talent for film-making to expose bullying and cruelty at her school. Grandma Rose teaches Ella how to use her talent for good as she shares her own story of Fairyland. Both stories weave together a magical component (my least favorite aspect of the show). Through a rose quartz rock, the girls seek guidance on how to handle their situations. This aspect of the show seemed disjointed and unnecessarily mystical and seemed to take away from some of the major themes of the show.

Growing up in a white family in Kansas City, I'd only ever heard fond memories of Fairyland. I heard stories of first-time rides on the Wildcat, fun dates at the park, and challenging friends to stunt-dive into the pool. Watching Only One Day a Year we were reminded to consider another aspect of our city's past (stories that have been shared in exhibits at Johnson County Museum and the Kansas City Museum in recent years) - the sad, shameful story of racism and segregation. I was also reminded of how grateful I am that we no longer live in a segregated community - that our family is richer for having friends and neighbors from diverse backgrounds.

At the end of the show, the cast asked the audience to consider challenging questions - if they were in Rose's shoes, would they fight for her brother's right to visit Fairyland any day it is open, or would they recommend alternative ways to celebrate the birthday and avoid rocking the boat and making waves? The play showed clearly why different members of her family held different views - when your wages, your reputation, and your safety may be at stake it is hard to have the courage to fight injustice.

Only One Day a Year is an important show that causes us all to contemplate our role in loving our neighbors, standing for justice, and defending the truth.

Buy tickets to Only One Day a Year at Coterie.